'Religious extremists' kill six in Kazakhstan rampage
Armed men suspected of being religious extremists went on the rampage in a town in Kazakhstan.
Revenge, despair pushing Syrians into jihadist ranks: study
Economic concerns and the desire for a sense of purpose and revenge are the major factors pushing young Syrians into the arms of jihadist groups, a study released on Wednesday found.
California Muslims sue over hijab discrimination
Two lawsuits filed in California on Monday claim that Muslim women were discriminated against in separate incidents because of their religion and for wearing the hijab.
Saudi orders 'kinder, gentler' religious police
Saudi Arabia has stripped its frequently criticised religious police of their powers to arrest, urging them to act "kindly and gently" in enforcing Islamic rules.
Lucky Thai dolls 'non-human' says aviation authority
Thailand's air safety body warned passengers that lucky 'child angel' dolls cannot be considered real people and must be properly stowed.
70,000 sign petition to ban Trump from Britian
Over 70,000 people sign a petition to ban Donald Trump from entering Britain after his call to bar Muslims from entering the United States.
Pope opens 'Holy Door' in Bangui ahead of Catholic Jubilee year
Pope Francis made a highly symbolic gesture by opening a "Holy Door" at Bangui Cathedral in the Central African Republic ahead of the start of a Catholic Jubilee Year.
Pope hails Africa as 'continent of hope'
Pope Francis hailed Africa as "a continent of hope" as he toured Uganda on the second leg of a landmark trip that has seen him railing against corruption and poverty.
French Muslim body to create 'licence to preach' for imams
France's leading Muslim body said it would create a permit to preach for imams in a bid to root out extremists, as well as a new religious body to fight back against jihadist propaganda.
Pope deplores Vatican leaks, vows to continue reforms
Pope Francis pledged to forge ahead with reforms within the Church, while decrying "deplorable" leaks over uncontrolled spending by the Vatican.
Pope issues 'extraordinary' apology over scandals
Pope Francis offered a surprise public apology from the Catholic Church for a series of scandals which have shaken the city of Rome and the Vatican, from gay sex to drug use.
Pope deplores 'escalation of violence' in MidEast, urges action
Pope Francis deplored the "escalation of violence affecting innocent civilians" in the Middle East, from Syria to Iraq, Jerusalem and the West Bank, and urged the international community to act.
Pope wraps up US tour with giant open-air mass
Pope Francis celebrated a giant outdoor mass in Philadelphia, bringing to a close an electrifying US tour with an appeal for unity and family love, having met victims of church sex abuse.
Trump disputes pope on climate change
Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump said he thinks Pope Francis is wrong on climate change.
Pope prepares to take US bow after Cuba stopover
Pope Francis headed for Cuba on the first-leg of a trip that will also take him to the United States for his most high-profile overseas visit to date.
Pope feels 'used' by fake friends
Pope Francis says he has felt "used" by people claiming to be his friend since he became pontiff, in a radio interview touching on the personal side of his papacy.
Pope calls for every European parish to take in refugee family
Pope Francis called on every Catholic parish in Europe to take in a refugee family, saying the Vatican's two parishes would lead by example.
Pope Francis thanks US nuns after 'radical' claim
Pope Francis thanked American nuns in a television special to be aired Friday, defusing tensions that arose after an investigation under the previous pontiff accused them of promoting "radical feminist themes"
Pope to lead thousands through New York's Central Park
Pope Francis will lead a vast procession of thousands through Central Park during his historic visit to the United States later this month.
Israel PM criticised for eating at 'temple of gourmet dining'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism from ultra-Orthodox politicians for having eaten in a non-kosher restaurant serving rabbit, escargot and lobster.
